By and large, the 2018 Dallas Cowboys season was considered a success. Following a 3-5 start, Dallas won the NFC East and lost to the eventual NFC champion Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.

As the case always is in sports, winning elicits expectations. The presumption is for Jason Garrett and the Cowboys to build upon what took place last season.

Garrett is in the final year of his contract, and based on Jerry Jones' decisions, the owner's in prove-it mode for 2019. Jones aspires to at least reach a conference championship with an ultimate goal of a Super Bowl.

It's been 23 years since the Cowboys' last NFC crown. Entering his ninth full season as coach, Garrett's expectations are transparent.

The Cowboys made some changes to their coaching staff. Will the team make a significant splash in free agency to help its 2019 quest? The Cowboys are expected to have in the neighborhood of $50-55 million in salary cap space to re-sign their own and acquire new talent.

We're unleashing an eight-part series on free agents the Cowboys could target at every position. The free agents below aren't necessarily the best available. They represent nice fits in Dallas based on scheme and personnel.

Linebacker

Cowboys' outlook: The Cowboys arguably have the best linebacker duo on the entire NFL. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch have the talent to be perennial Pro Bowlers. Smith and Vander Esch are the only two linebackers on the field for the Cowboys because the team operates in a nickel package the majority of the time. Free-agent strong-side linebacker Damien Wilson played less than 30 percent of the total defensive snaps. He's presumably going to pursue more opportunity elsewhere.

Sean Lee has been great in Dallas since 2011. Injuries have started to take a toll on the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker. He was hampered by a hamstring injury last year and subsequently lost his job to Vander Esch.

Lee accepted a reduce role and a restructured contract to return to Dallas. The veteran could play out of position at strong side linebacker or the team could find one through free agency or the draft. More depth at linebacker is something the team should consider.

Without further ado, let's evaluate some free agent options at linebacker for the Cowboys:

Shaquil Barrett, Broncos (6-2, 250)

The Cowboys are strong atop the depth chart, just ask Sean Lee. Dallas could add depth at the position. Barrett is more of a pass-rushing outside linebacker, but could be added to bolster the rotation.

Damien Wilson, Cowboys (6-0, 245)

Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer

Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) and outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) celebrate after running Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) off the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)

Wilson only played in 28 percent of the Cowboys' defensive snaps as the starting strong-side linebacker. The Cowboys operated mostly in a nickel package with two linebackers, which left Wilson on the sideline often in 2018.

He will probably seek more playing time elsewhere. He does have a defined role in Dallas as the team's starting strong-side linebacker in a base 4-3 defense and on special teams. More than likely, that won't be enough for him to stay. He can contribute more on another roster.

L.J. Fort, Steelers (6-0, 232)

Fort is another player who could fit the outside linebacker role occupied by Wilson last season. He's spent the last four seasons in Pittsburgh, mostly as a backup. The 6-foot linebacker enjoyed his best season in 2018, tallying 48 total tackles and three tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus gave him a 74.2 grade for last season, ranking 28th among all linebackers in the league.

Chickillo would be a solid rotational outside linebacker/defensive end in Dallas. He was Fort's teammate in Pittsburgh for four seasons.

Chickillo can be a cheap replacement for Wilson. He would also contribute on special teams.

Jeremiah Attaochu, Jets (6-3, 252)

Attaochu would be a nice fit in Dallas. His stats don't blow you away, but he'd be productive in spot duty as an outside linebacker with the Cowboys. He received an above-average score by Pro Football Focus (67.8, 74th overall among all edge players) in a season where he had a limited role.